THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. -Usherian year of the World, 3999. -Alexandrian year of the World, 5497. -Antiochian year of the World, 5487. -Constantinopolitan AEra of the World, 5503. -Rabbinical year of the World, 3754. -Year of the Julian Period, 4708. -AEra of the Seleucidae, 307. -Y... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:2. _EVEN AS THEY DELIVERED THEM UNTO US, WHICH FROM THE_ _BEGINNING WERE EYE-WITNESSES_] Probably this alludes to the Gospels of _Matthew_ and _Mark_, which it is likely were written before St. Luke wrote his, and on the _models_ of which he professes to write his own; and απ αρχης, _fr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:3. _HAVING HAD PERFECT UNDERSTANDING_] παρηκολουθηκοτι ανωθεν, _Having accurately traced up_-entered into the very spirit of the work, and examined every thing to the bottom; in consequence of which investigation, I am completely convinced of the truth of the whole. Though God gives his... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:4. _WHEREIN THOU HAST BEEN INSTRUCTED._] κατηχηθης - In which thou hast been _catechized_. It appears that Theophilus had already received the _first elements_ of the Christian doctrine, but had not as yet been completely _grounded_ in them. That he might know the certainty of the thin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:5. _IN THE DAYS OF HEROD, THE KING_] This was _Herod_, surnamed the _Great_, the son of _Antipater_, an Idumean by birth, who had professed himself a proselyte to the Jewish religion, but regarded no religion, farther than it promoted his secular interests and ambition. Thus, for the f... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:6. _THEY WERE BOTH RIGHTEOUS_] Upright and holy in all their outward conduct in civil life. _BEFORE GOD_] Possessing the spirit of the religion they professed; exercising themselves constantly in the presence of their Maker, whose eye, they knew, was upon all their conduct, and who exa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:7. _BOTH WERE NOW WELL STRICKEN IN YEARS._] By the order of God, _sterility_ and _old age_ both met in the person of _Elisabeth_, to render the birth of a son (humanly speaking) impossible. This was an exact parallel to the case of _Sarah_ and _Abraham_, Genesis 11:30; Genesis 17:17. C... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:8. _BEFORE GOD_] In the temple, where God used to manifest his presence, though long before this time he had forsaken it; yet, on this important occasion, the angel of his presence had visited it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:9. _HIS LOT WAS_, c.] We are informed in the _Talmud_, that it was the custom of the priests to divide the different functions of the sacerdotal office among themselves by _lot_: and, in this case, the decision of the lot was, that Zacharias should at that time burn the incense before t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:10. _THE WHOLE MULTITUDE - WERE PRAYING_] The incense was itself an emblem of the prayers and praises of the people of God: see Psalms 141:2; Revelation 8:1. While, therefore, the _rite_ is performing by the priest, the people are employed in the thing signified. Happy the people who at... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:11. _THERE APPEARED - AN ANGEL OF THE LORD_] There had been neither prophecy nor angelic ministry vouchsafed to this people for about 400 years. But now, as the Sun of righteousness is about to arise upon them, the day-spring from on high visits them, that they may be prepared for that... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:12. _ZACHARIAS - WAS TROUBLED_] Or, _confounded_ at his sudden and unexpected appearance; _and fear fell upon him_, lest this heavenly messenger were come to denounce the judgments of God against a faithless and disobedient people, who had too long and too well merited them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:13. _THY PRAYER IS HEARD_] This probably refers, 1st, to the frequent prayers which he had offered to God for a son; and 2dly, to those which he had offered for the deliverance and consolation of Israel. _They are all heard-thou_ shalt have a _son_, and _Israel_ shall be _saved_. If... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:14. _THOU SHALT HAVE JOY_, c.] εσται χαρα σοι, _He will be_ _joy and gladness to thee_. A child of prayer and faith is likely to be a source of comfort to his parents. Were proper attention paid to this point, there would be fewer _disobedient_ children in the world and the number of _b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:15. _HE SHALL BE GREAT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD_] That is, before Jesus Christ, whose forerunner he shall be; or he shall be a _truly great person_, for so this form of speech may imply. _NEITHER WINE NOR STRONG DRINK_] σικερα, i.e. all fermented liquors which have the property of int... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:16. _MANY OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL HE TURN_] See this prediction fulfilled, Luke 3:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:17. _HE SHALL GO BEFORE HIM_] Jesus Christ, _in the spirit_ _and power of Elijah_; he shall resemble Elijah in his retired and austere manner of life, and in his zeal for the truth, reproving even princes for their crimes; compare 1 Kings 21:17-11, with Matthew 14:4. It was on these acc... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:18. _WHEREBY SHALL I KNOW THIS?_] All things are possible to God: no natural impediment can have any power when God has declared he will accomplish his purpose. He has a right to be believed on his own word alone; and it is impious, when we are convinced that it is his word, to demand a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:19. _I AM GABRIEL_] This angel is mentioned, Daniel 8:16; Daniel 9:21. The original גבריאל is exceedingly expressive: it is compounded of גבורה _geburah_, and אל _el, the might of the strong God_. An angel with such a name was exceedingly proper for the occasion; as it pointed out that... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:20. _THOU SHALT BE DUMB_] σιωπων _silent_; this translation is literal; the angel immediately explains it, _thou shalt not be_ _able to speak_. _Dumbness_ ordinarily proceeds from a natural _imperfection_ or _debility_ of the organs of speech; in this case there was no natural weakness... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:21. _THE PEOPLE WAITED_] The time spent in burning the incense was probably about _half an hour_, during which there was a profound _silence_, as the people stood without engaged in mental prayer. To this there is an allusion in Revelation 8:1. Zacharias had spent not only the time nece... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:22. _THEY PERCEIVED THAT HE HAD SEEN A VISION_] As the sanctuary was separated from the court by a great veil, the people could not see what passed, but they understood this from Zacharias himself, who, ην διανευων, _made signs_, or _nodded_ unto them to that purpose. _Signs_ are the on... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:23. _AS SOON AS THE DAYS OF HIS MINISTRATION WERE_ _ACCOMPLISHED_] Each family of the priesthood officiated one whole week, 2 Kings 11:17. There is something very instructive in the conduct of this priest; had he not loved the service he was engaged in, he might have made the loss of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:24. _HID HERSELF FIVE MONTHS_] That she might have the fullest proof of the accomplishment of God's promise before she appeared in public, or spoke of her mercies. When a _Hindoo_ female is pregnant of her _first child_, she _avoids_ the _presence_ of those with whom she was before fami... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 25. _TO TAKE AWAY MY REPROACH_] As _fruitfulness_ was a part of the promise of God to his people, Genesis 17:6, and _children_, on this account, being considered as a particular blessing from heaven, Exodus 23:20; Leviticus 26:9: Psalms 127:3; so _barrenness_ was considered among the Jews as a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 26. _A CITY OF GALILEE_] As Joseph and Mary were both of the family of David, the patrimonial estate of which lay in Bethlehem, it seems as if the family residence should have been in that city, and not in Nazareth; for we find that, even after the return from the captivity, the several famili... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 27. _TO A VIRGIN ESPOUSED_, c.] See Clarke on Matthew 1:18 Matthew 1:23. The reflections of pious father _Quesnel_ on this subject are worthy of serious regard. At length the moment is come which is to give a _son_ to a _virgin_, a _saviour_ to the _world_, a _pattern_ to _mankind_, a _sacrif... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 28. _AND THE ANGEL CAME IN UNTO HER_] Some think that all this business was transacted in a vision; and that there was no _personal_ appearance of the angel. When Divine visions were given, they are announced as such, in the sacred writings; nor can we with safety attribute any thing to a visi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 29. _SHE WAS TROUBLED AT HIS SAYING_] The glorious appearance of the heavenly messenger filled her with amazement; and she was puzzled to find out the purport of his speech.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 31. _THOU - SHALT CALL HIS NAME JESUS._] See on Matthew 1:20, and here, on Luke 2:21, and John 1:29.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 32. _HE SHALL BE GREAT_] Behold the greatness of the _man_ Christ Jesus: 1st. Because that human nature that should be born of the virgin was to be united with the Divine nature. 2dly. In consequence of this, that human nature should be called in a peculiar sense _the SON of the most high Go... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 33. _THE HOUSE OF JACOB_] All who belong to the twelve tribes, the whole Israelitish people.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 34. _SEEING I KNOW NOT A MAN_] Or, _husband_. As she was only _contracted_ to Joseph, and not as yet married, she knew that this conception could not have yet taken place; and she modestly inquires by what means the promise of the angel is to be fulfilled in order to regulate her conduct accor... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 35. _THE HOLY GHOST SHALL COME UPON THEE_] This conception shall take place _suddenly_, and the Holy Spirit himself shall be the grand operator. _The power_, δυναμις, the miracle-working power, _of the Most High shall overshadow thee_, to accomplish this purpose, and to _protect_ thee from dan... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 36. _THY COUSIN ELISABETH_] _Thy kinswoman_, συγγενης. As Elisabeth was of the tribe of _Levi_, Luke 1:5, and Mary of the tribe of _Judah_, they could not be relatives but by the mother's side. _SHE HATH ALSO CONCEIVED_] And this is wrought by the same power and energy through which _thou_ sh... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 37. _FOR WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE._] Words of the very same import with those spoken by the Lord to Sarah, when he foretold the birth of Isaac, Genesis 18:14, _Is any thing too hard for the Lord_? As there can be no doubt that Mary perceived this allusion to the promise and birth o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 38. _BEHOLD THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD_] I fully credit what thou sayest, and am perfectly ready to obey thy commands, and to accomplish all the purposes of thy grace concerning me. It appears that at the _instant_ of this act of faith, and purposed obedience, the _conception_ of the immaculate... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 39. _IN THOSE DAYS_] As soon as she could conveniently fit herself out for the journey. _HILL COUNTRY_] _Hebron_, the city of the priests, Joshua 21:11, which was situated in the tribe of Judah, about forty miles south of Jerusalem, and upwards of seventy from Nazareth. _WITH HASTE_] This pr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 41. _ELISABETH WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST._] This seems to have been the accomplishment of the promise made by the angel, Luke 1:15, _He shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's_ _womb_. The mother is filled with the Holy Spirit, and the child in her womb becomes sensibl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 42. _BLESSED_ ART _THOU AMONG WOMEN_] Repeating the words of the angel, Luke 1:28, of which she had probably been informed by the holy virgin, in the present interview.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 43. _THE MOTHER OF MY LORD_] The _prophetic_ spirit, which appears to have overshadowed Elisabeth, gave her a clear understanding in the mystery of the birth of the promised Messiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 45. _BLESSED IS SHE THAT BELIEVED; FOR THERE SHALL BE_, c.] Or, _Blessed is she who hath believed that there shall be_, c. This I believe to be the proper arrangement of the passage, and is thus noticed in the marginal reading. Faith is here represented as the foundation of true happiness, bec... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 46. _AND MARY SAID_] Two copies of the _Itala_, and some books mentioned by _Origen_, give this song to _Elisabeth_. It is a counterpart of the song of Hannah, as related in 1 Samuel 2:1. This is allowed by many to be the first piece of _poetry_ in the New Testament; but the address of the a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 47. _MY SPIRIT HATH REJOICED_] _Exulted_. These words are uncommonly emphatical-they show that Mary's whole soul was filled with the Divine influence, and wrapped up in God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 48. _HE HATH REGARDED_] _Looked favourably_, c., επεβλεψεν. In the most tender and compassionate manner he has visited me in my humiliation, drawing the reasons of his conduct, not from any excellence in me, but from his own eternal _kindness_ and _love_. _ALL GENERATIONS SHALL CALL ME BLESSE... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 49. _HE THAT IS MIGHTY HATH DONE TO ME GREAT THINGS_] Or, _miracles_, μεγαλεια. As God _fills_ her with his goodness, she _empties_ herself to him in praises; and, sinking into her own nothingness, she ever confesses that God alone is all in all. _HOLY_ IS _HIS NAME_] Probably the word which... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 50. _HIS MERCY_ IS _ON THEM THAT FEAR HIM_] His exuberant kindness manifests itself in acts of mercy to all those who fear or reverence his name; and this is continued _from generation to_ _generation_, because he is _abundant_ in goodness, and because he delighteth in mercy. This is a noble,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 51. _HE HATH SHOWED STRENGTH_] Or, _He hath gained the _ _victory_, εποιησε κρατος. The word κρατος is used for _victory_, by _Homer, Hesiod, Sophocles, Euripides_, and others. _WITH HIS ARM_] Grotius has well observed, that God's _efficacy_ is represented by his _finger_, his _great power_ b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 52. _HE HATH PUT DOWN THE MIGHTY FROM THEIR SEATS_] Or, _He_ _hath taken down potentates from their thrones_. This probably alludes to the removal of _Saul_ from the throne of Israel, and the establishment of the kingdom in the person and family of _David_. And as Mary spoke _prophetically_, t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 53. _FILLED THE HUNGRY - THE RICH HE HATH SENT EMPTY AWAY._] God is here represented under the notion of a person of unbounded benevolence, who is daily feeding multitudes at _his gates_. The _poor_ and the _rich_ are _equally_ dependent upon him; to the one he gives his _affluence_ for a sea... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 54. _HE HATH HOLPEN_ [_supported_, αντελαβετο] _HIS SERVANT_ _ISRAEL_] Israel is here represented as _falling_, and the Lord comes speedily in and _props_ him up. The house of David was now ready to _fall_ and rise no more; Jesus, being born of the very _last branch_ of the regal line, revived... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 56. _AND MARY ABODE WITH HER ABOUT THREE MONTHS_] According to some, the departure of Mary from Hebron must have been but a few days before the birth of John; as _nine_ months had now elapsed since Elisabeth's conception; see Luke 1:36. Hence it immediately follows:-... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 57. _NOW ELISABETH'S FULL TIME CAME_, c.] But, according to others, we are to understand the three months of Mary's visit as preceding the birth of John, which would complete the time of Elisabeth's pregnancy, according to Luke 1:36, and the only difficulty is to ascertain whether Mary went im... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 58. _AND HER NEIGHBOURS AND HER COUSINS - REJOICED WITH HER._] Because sterility was a reproach; and they now rejoiced with their relative, from whom that reproach was now rolled away. To rejoice with those whom God has favoured, and to congratulate them on the advantages which he has granted... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 59. _ON THE EIGHTH DAY THEY CAME TO CIRCUMCISE_] See an account of this institution in Clarke's notes on Genesis 17:10-1. Had _circumcision_ been essential to an infant's salvation, God would not have ordered it to be delayed to the eighth day, because, in all countries, multitudes die before... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 60. _NOT_ SO; _BUT HE SHALL BE CALLED JOHN._] This is the name which the angel desired should be given him, Luke 1:13, and of which Zacharias by writing had informed his wife. There is something very remarkable in the names of this family. _Zachariah_, זכריהו the _memory_ or _memorial of Jeho... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 61. _NONE OF THY KINDRED_] As the Jewish tribes and families were kept sacredly _distinct_, it appears the very names of the ancestors were continued among their descendants, partly through reverence for them, and partly to avoid confusion in the genealogical tables, which, for the sake of dis... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 62. _THEY MADE SIGNS TO HIS FATHER_] Who, it appears from this, was _deaf_ as well as _dumb_; otherwise they might have _asked_ him, and obtained his answer in this way.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 63. _A WRITING TABLE_] πινακιδιον, a _tablet_, a diminutive of πιναξ, a _table_. "The boys in Barbary are taught to write upon a smooth thin board, slightly daubed over with whiting, which may be rubbed off or renewed at pleasure. Such probably (for the Jewish children use the same) was the _l... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 64. The latter clause of the preceding verse should be joined with the beginning of this, as follows: _And they marvelled_ _all, for his mouth was opened_, c. Every person must see the propriety of putting this clause, _And they marvelled all_, to the beginning of the 64th verse, instead of le... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 65. _AND FEAR CAME_] Seeing what they might have thought a paralytic affection so suddenly and effectually healed. φοβος - This word certainly means in several places, _religious fear_ or _reverence_; and in this sense it is used Acts 9:31; Romans 3:18; Romans 13:7; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 Peter 2:18... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 66. _WHAT MANNER OF CHILD SHALL THIS BE!_] As there have been so many extraordinary things in his conception and birth, surely God has designed him for some extraordinary purpose. These things they _laid up in their heart_, patiently waiting to see what God would work. _THE HAND OF THE LORD W... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 67. _ZACHARIAS - PROPHESIED_] The word _prophesy_ is to be taken here in its proper acceptation, for the _predicting_ or _foretelling_ _future events_. Zacharias speaks, not only of what God _had_ already _done_, but also of what he was _about to do_, in order to save a lost world.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 68. _BLESSED_ be _the Lord God of Israel; for_, c.] Zacharias praises God for two grand benefits which he had granted to his people. 1. He has _visited_ them. 2. He has _ransomed_ them. 1. He speaks by the spirit of prophecy, which calls things that _are not_, as though they _were_ because th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 69. _AND HATH RAISED UP A HORN OF SALVATION_] That is, a _mighty_ and _glorious Saviour_: a quotation from Psalms 18:2. _Horns_ are the well known emblems of _strength, glory_, and _power_, both in the sacred and profane writers, because the strength and beauty of horned animals consist in th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:71. _THAT WE SHOULD BE SAVED_ (literally, _a salvation_) _FROM_ _OUR ENEMIES_] As Zacharias spoke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the salvation which he mentions here must necessarily be understood in a _spiritual_ sense. _Satan, death_, and _sin_ are the _enemies_ from whom Jesu... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:72. _HIS HOLY COVENANT_] Luke 1:54.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:74-42. _BEING DELIVERED_, c.] The salvation brought by Jesus Christ, consists in the following things: - 1. We are to be _delivered out of the hand of our enemies_, and _from all that hate us_ so that sin shall neither have _dominion_ _over_ us, nor _existence in_ us. 2. We are to _wo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:76. _AND THOU, CHILD_, c.] Zacharias proclaims the dignity, employment, doctrine, and success of his son and the ruin and recovery of the Jews and the Gentiles. 1. His _dignity_. _Thou shalt be called_ (constituted) _a prophet of_ _the Most High_. _Prophet_ has two acceptations:- 1st.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Luke 1:80. _THE CHILD GREW_] Increased in stature and bodily vigour. _And waxed strong in spirit_-had his _understanding_ Divinely illuminated and confirmed in the truths of God. _And was in the_ _deserts_-the city of Hebron, the circumjacent hill country, and in or near Nazareth. _Till the ti... [ Continue Reading ]